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mari_universe's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Devestating, heartbreaking and beautiful. I absolutely adored this book, the way it was written, the way you seem to be able to feel the characters breathe through the paper. It made me feel emotions i didn’t even know I ws capable of feeling. A huge recommendation for anyone that is looking for a tough-provoking, desperate and yet so beautiful story. A true masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
billcbentley's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
thefloralbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Outing, Hate crime, and Homophobia
Minor: Suicide
dancingwithdelilah's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Violence
Moderate: Suicide attempt
pkc's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s interesting to read a book like this that’s effectively a slice of history from the perspective of those who were unlucky enough to live through and be directly affected by it. In this instance, the gross indecency act of 1885 is almost a tertiary watchman. It casts a pall across any happiness and opportunity that the characters in the book might hope to one day enjoy. The result is egregious bigotry, secrecy, and lies. The story follows Marion who meets her eponymous policeman - Tom, the brother of her best friend and falls instantly for him. Their relationship is complicated by the policeman’s relationship with Patrick - a museum curator. Their arrangement is uneasy and rocky and in the end can only lead to tragedy.
The story vacillates between Marion’s and Patrick’s perspective: the former reflecting on the events of her tumultuous marriage from the relative safety of 1999, while the latter’s perspective is told in the form of extensive diaries. The perspectives are beautifully woven together as events start to derail. I loved how Tom’s story was never told from his own perspective. It gives him the same air of unknowability that each narrator would experience as he retreated into his respective “other life.” Bethan Roberts’ writing is so skilled though that he is no less formed or sympathetic by the omission of his direct perspective
I found myself throughout abhorring the decisions made by the characters and felt anger throughout but ultimately, pity. The bulk of the story takes place in the late 1950s in Brighton, and while Brighton now proudly owns its title as the queer capital of Britain, at the time, it was as backwards as the rest of the country in its attitudes towards queer people, or “inverts”. The characters are placed in impossible decisions and face untenable quandaries in their pursuit of a happy and authentic life, wrestling between the ideal and the expected path.
This was an easy 5⭐️ and I’d recommend it to anyone. Some caution though, by its very nature it’s super bleak and infuriating from a 2024 vantage point.
The story vacillates between Marion’s and Patrick’s perspective: the former reflecting on the events of her tumultuous marriage from the relative safety of 1999, while the latter’s perspective is told in the form of extensive diaries. The perspectives are beautifully woven together as events start to derail. I loved how Tom’s story was never told from his own perspective. It gives him the same air of unknowability that each narrator would experience as he retreated into his respective “other life.” Bethan Roberts’ writing is so skilled though that he is no less formed or sympathetic by the omission of his direct perspective
I found myself throughout abhorring the decisions made by the characters and felt anger throughout but ultimately, pity. The bulk of the story takes place in the late 1950s in Brighton, and while Brighton now proudly owns its title as the queer capital of Britain, at the time, it was as backwards as the rest of the country in its attitudes towards queer people, or “inverts”. The characters are placed in impossible decisions and face untenable quandaries in their pursuit of a happy and authentic life, wrestling between the ideal and the expected path.
This was an easy 5⭐️ and I’d recommend it to anyone. Some caution though, by its very nature it’s super bleak and infuriating from a 2024 vantage point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Homophobia, and Grief
Moderate: Medical trauma, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Violence
dubious_little_creature's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
whatnovareads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A truly heartbreaking and gripping read. I couldn’t put this down even though from the very beginning we know that the story does not end well.
The 1950s Brighton seaside is depicted really well with the pier, the Grand Hotel and the scenes with holidaymakers all vivid and wholesome. The dangers of the relationship between Patrick and Tom captures the ultra conservative social conventions of the era - it’s easy to forget that so many were denied the basic freedoms and human rights that we now take for granted.
I enjoyed the dual narratives of Marion and Patrick although I can’t say I really warmed to Marion at all. I sympathised with her initial naivety but this was lost after Sylvie’s warning that Tom was different. Marion nevertheless continued to wilfully ignore this warning and the lack of romantic affection between her and Tom and eagerly pursued him until she became his prefect cover up. In the end, I couldn’t understand why, after all this time, she felt the need to confess and found this purely selfish and for her own redemption. I would have preferred a different ending, more fitting to Tom and Patrick’s story.
It was very interesting that Tom’s perspective is not given a voice in the book, especially as he is the main character. I am excited to watch the film now and see if Tom’s narrative is given any agency on the screen.
Overall, a beautifully written heartbreaking read.
The 1950s Brighton seaside is depicted really well with the pier, the Grand Hotel and the scenes with holidaymakers all vivid and wholesome. The dangers of the relationship between Patrick and Tom captures the ultra conservative social conventions of the era - it’s easy to forget that so many were denied the basic freedoms and human rights that we now take for granted.
I enjoyed the dual narratives of Marion and Patrick although I can’t say I really warmed to Marion at all. I sympathised with her initial naivety but this was lost after Sylvie’s warning that Tom was different. Marion nevertheless continued to wilfully ignore this warning and the lack of romantic affection between her and Tom and eagerly pursued him until she became his prefect cover up. In the end, I couldn’t understand why, after all this time, she felt the need to confess and found this purely selfish and for her own redemption. I would have preferred a different ending, more fitting to Tom and Patrick’s story.
It was very interesting that Tom’s perspective is not given a voice in the book, especially as he is the main character. I am excited to watch the film now and see if Tom’s narrative is given any agency on the screen.
Overall, a beautifully written heartbreaking read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Sexual content
lee_5's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
temi1008's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Outing
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Hate crime
tegzy95's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content, Death, Grief, Sexism, and Mental illness
Minor: Suicide